Sierra County, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Unincorporated Sierra County has no landscaping ordinance mandating, or forbidding, the use of California-native plants. Native and drought-tolerant species are well suited to the County's Sierra Nevada forest and Sierra Valley meadow climate and are effectively encouraged by state policy. California Government Code section 53087.7 provides that a county may not enact or enforce any ordinance that prohibits the installation of drought-tolerant landscaping using living plant material on residential property - so the County cannot require a traditional turf lawn or block a native-plant yard. For homeowners in associations, California Civil Code section 4735 voids HOA rules that prohibit low water-using plants or drought-tolerant landscaping. The County's statutory-reference table also recognizes the state's drought-tolerant landscaping authority (Government Code 53087.7) and the historic Tree Planting Act of 1931 for street trees. Note that 'drought-tolerant landscaping' under Government Code 53087.7 covers living plant material, not synthetic turf. Any new or rehabilitated landscape of meaningful size remains subject to California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), which favors climate-appropriate and native plantings to meet its water-budget standards. Defensible-space requirements (PRC 4291) still apply, so plant selection and spacing near structures should also account for fire safety.